Multiple feed antenna connector



led June 8. 196

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 f ir INVENTOR. Samue/ Ya/fer June 25, 1968 s. YATTER MULTIPLE FEED ANTENNA CONNECTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1965 INVENTOR Samue/ Yaf/er June 25, 1968 s. YATTER 3,390,358

MULTIPLEFEED ANTENNA CONNECTOR Filed June 8, 1965 5 SheetsSheet 5 INVENTOR.

United States Patent Tee 3,390,358 MULTIPLE FEED ANTENNA CONNECTOR Samuel Yatter, 111 Main St., Manasquan, NJ. 08736 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 336,679,

Jan. 9, 1964. This application June 8, 1965, Ser. No. 471,491

12 Claims. (Cl. 333-25) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application discloses one-piece, coaxial cable connectors in which oppositely disposed antenna legs are electrically connected to the cable or other feed lines by means of angularly disposed sets of longitudinal channels running in transverse directions to that of the cable which create a resistance to destruction of the connectors from the opposite pull of twin antennas.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my 00- pending application Ser. No. 336,679, now abandoned, filed J an. 9, 1964, entitled Transmitting and Receiving Coaxial Cable Connectors.

This invention relates to antenna coaxial cable connectors. In particular the invention relates to an electrical radio frequency cable connector for the transfer of radio frequency energy from a feed line to an antenna, but is not necessarily limited to such use.

Conventional connectors for coaxial electrical cables are usually made of metal such as aluminum, brass, etc. cast into two separate housing sections. After assembly of the cables and/ or cable branches therein, the sections are ostensibly sealed as by rubber cement or the like before being screwed together. In practice, however, such seals soon deteriorate, at which time shorting out occurs between the conductors. Moisture entering into the joint between the sections creates flash and the resulting carbon alters the impedance by building up resistance within the connector.

Some of the objects of the invention are to devise a superior type of coaxial cable connector of simplified construction, of greater strength and ability, of greater ease of assembly, of less cost to manufacture, and of foolproof operation which prevents shorting and resistance build-up.

Another object is to devise a low loss strain insulator antenna connector which is adapted to solve substantially all of the ham or amateur radio operators antenna problems by use of regular coaxial feed lines, open wire feed lines, loading coils, balun coils, inverted Vs and like applications.

The invention contemplates a novel one-piece connector made of any high compression, insulating material such as solid porcelain, ceramic, plastic, wood, etc. The specific structure of the high compressional connector overcomes the stated prior art deficiencies, accomplishes all of the above listed objects and can be made in any desired shape, size or configuration, such as cylindrical, circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. Regardless of outer configuration, the particular structure of the high compressional connector insures that any destructive force would have to be a crushing blow rather than undue strain, since it will resist tearing apart from the opposite pull of the twin antenna legs.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following detail description and the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of one embodiment of the invention showing the manner of connecting two oppositely directed antenna legs to the separate conductors of a coaxial cable;

3,390,358 Patented June 25, 1968 FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the connector taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the invention taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the connector taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a modified connector in which the legs of the antenna are connected to an open wire feed;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the modified connector in which the antenna legs are connected to both the coaxial feed cable and to a pair of loading coils;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the modified connector showing the antenna legs connected to one balun coil and the cable connected to the other;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the connector shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an end view of the modified connector illustrated in FIGS. 5-8.

Referring now to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l-4 shows a connector indicated generally as 10 having a body portion, 11 with a centrally disposed boss 12. A bore 13 runs transversely through the center of the boss. The diameter of the bore is slightly larger than the size of the coaxial cable 14 it is designed to closely receive.

Two smaller bores 15, 16 are disposed proximate to opposite ends 17, 18 of the connector and extend transversely of the body 11 at right angles to each other and at substantially a 45 angle relative to central bore 13, as clearly shown in FIG. 3.

Two longitudinal channels 19, 19 connect the ends of bore 15 to diagonally disposed positions on end 17. Similarly, two further longitudinal channels 20, 20 connect the ends of bore 16 to diagonally disposed positions proximate end 18. Although here shown in FIG. 1 to be semi-cylindrical or arcuate in shape, the channels may be of any desired configuration, such as right angular, as shown in FIGS. 2-4.

In operation, one end of a cable 14 is extended through and beyond bore 13. The outside insulation 21 usually of rubber or plastic, etc. is removed for a distance of about two or three inches to expose the braided outer conductor 22, see FIG. 3. The exposed length of braid is unraveled in the usual manner and the individual strands are first separated into two groups on either side of the cable and then both groups are brought together and twisted into one strand 22a, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The inside insulation 23 is then removed for a distance of about one or two inches to expose a length of the inner conductor 24. The extended end of the cable is then pulled back until the beginning of the bared c0nductors are positioned at the outer end of bore 13.

Each strand 22a, 24 to be connected to a separate leg of the dual wire antenna is then directed into opposite ends of a cross channel 25, which connects bore 13 with longitudinal channels 19 and 20.

One end of a leg or length of antenna wire 26 is run along one channel 19, passed through bore 15 and then bent back upon itself along the other channel 19, as indicated by arrows, and suitably fixed to the coaxially extending length of leg 26 as by twisting 27 and/or soldering (not shown).

One end of a second leg of antenna wire 28 is run along a first channel 20, through bore 16, bent back upon itself along the second channel 20, see arrows, and mechanically secured to its projecting portion in any suitable manner to form a good electrical connection.

When the captive ends of wires 26 and 28 are thus supported in operative position within channels 19, 20, respectively, they are each ready to be connected to either and/or both of the cable conductors. The drawings show the inner conductor 24 extending from bore 13 through channel 25 and tied around, soldered or otherwise directly secured to wire 26 in channel 19 as at 29. The outer conductor 22a extends in the opposite direction along channel 25 to be secured in like manner to the wire 28 in channel 20 as indicated at 30. After assembly, the legs of antenna wire can be cut to the proper length for the frequency to be used, and the open end of bore 13 can be quickly and easily sealed from the weather to prevent any possibility of shorting between the inner and outer conductors by means of epoxy or other insulating cement.

The modified embodiment 10a illustrated in FIGS. -9 is of substantially the same construction as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 with the following exceptions: the body portion 11a is devoid of a centrally disposed boss, the channels 19a, 20a extend the full length of the body portion, and four additional bores 31, 32, 33 and 34 extend transversely through the body from top to bottom. These four bores are parallel to, but smaller than center bore 13a. The recessed sides of connector a advantageously may be molded to provide a longitudinal gripping strip 48 along each side.

The diameter of bores 31-34 are dimensioned to receive terminal means such as screws 35 therethrough, see FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. Leads from various feed lines may be fastened in known manner about the screw heads 36. Each lead is then connected to a leg of the antenna as indicated at 37, 38, see FIG. 8, by any appropriate means such as a washer 39 and nut 40.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the improved means of connecting an antenna to several different types of feed lines by use of the modified connector.

An open wire feed line 41 which utilizes bores 32 and 33 may be substituted for the ordinary coaxial cable 14 illustrated in FIGS. l-4, in which only the center bore. 13a would be used. As shown in FIG. 5, one of the two open wires 41a, separated by porcelain spreaders 42, is inserted through bore 32 and connected as by soldering to leg 26 of the antenna. The other wire 41b is drawn through bore 33, bent over and soldered to antenna leg 28.

When the problem is lack of space, loading coils 43, 44 may be used in conjunction with a coaxial cable 14. As shown in FIG. 6, each coil fits over one half of the connector 10a. The inner end of coil 43 is shown connected by means of a terminal screw 35 and nut 40 running through bore 32 to the inner cable conductor 24. The outer end of coil 43 is connected as at 43a to antenna leg 26. The inner end of coil 44 is similarly connected to the outer cable conductor 22 by like terminal means running through bore 33, while its outer end is connected as at 44a to antenna leg 28.

When balun coils 45, 46 are used in conjunction with a regular coaxial cable 14 for matching impedances, all four terminal apertures or bores 31-34 are utilized to connect the coils with the cable and with the antenna. Thus as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, both ends of conductor 24a of coil 45 are soldered to a copper terminal clip 47 which is clamped under head 36 of a screw 35 running through bore 31 to the top of the connector 11a where it is joined by smilar clip means to antenna leg 28. Conductor 22a of one end of coil 45 extends through bore 34 for connection to antenna leg 26.

One end of conductor 24b of coil 46 is shown connected via bore 32 to the inner conductor 24 of feed cable 14. The other end of conductor 24b and one end of conductor 22b is similarly connected via bore 33 to the outer feed line conductor 22 by means of a screw 35, having a head 36 with a wsher 39, a nut 40 and a clip 47.

The coils 45, 46 may be secured together as by electrical or friction tape 49, which is also used to separate the inner and outer connectors 22a, 24a as shown in FIG. 7.

In conclusion, the connector contemplated by the invention may be readily molded or otherwise made in one piece of any suitable high compressional, non-metallic material to form a lightweight, foolproof connector of simplified construction having no insulation problems such as meltablebushings, no separate parts such as screws, plugs, eyebolts, etc. requiring careful assembly in timeconsuming operations, no tie-wires for joining and no heavy or ring soldering to distort the inside insulation and upset the normal impedence of the line. The connector is efficient to operate for both amateur or professional, is easily waterproofed, requires no extensive Waiting period between sealing and operating, and may be manufactured and sold to the consuming public at lower costs than heretofore has been possible.

The forms of the invention here described and illustrated are presented merely as examples of how the invention may be embodied and applied. Other forms, embodiments and applications of the invention, coming within the proper scope of the appended claims, will, of course suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. An antenna connector for a two conductor coaxial cable, said connector comprising a one-piece, non-metallic body, a first transverse bore disposed in said body adapted to receive said cable, a second transverse bore adapted to receive a first antenna leg for connection to a first of said conductors, a third transverse bore adapted to receive a second antenna leg for connection to a second of said cable conductors, said body being of substantially elongated configuration and provided with alternate top and bottom portions, two side portions and a first and second end portion, a first pair of longitudinal channels, said second transverse bore connecting said first pair of channels, a second pair of longitudinal channels, said third transverse bore connecting said second pair of longitudinal channels, and across channel, said cross channel joining said first transverse bore with one of each pair of said longitudinal channels.

2. An antenna connector for a two conductor coaxial cable, said connector comprising a one-piece, high compression insulating body, a first transverse bore disposed in said body adapted to receive said cable, a second transverse bore adapted to receive a first antenna leg for connection to a first of said conductors, and a third transverse bore adapted to receive a second antenna leg for connection to a second of said cable conductors, wherein said second and third transverse bores are disposed at right angles to each other and disposed at a 45 angle relative to said first transverse bore.

3. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said first bore extend-s diagonally through the center of said body, said second bore extends from one edge of said top portion to the opposite edge of said bottom portion, and said third bore extends from the opposite edges of said top and bottom portions to that of said second bore.

4. A connector according to claim 1, wherein said first pair of channels and said second transverse bore are adapted to receive said first antenna leg extending beyond said first end, and said second pair of channels and said third transverse bore are adapted to receive said second antenna leg extending beyond said second end.

5. A connector according to claim 4, wherein said body is made of material capable of withstanding high compressional forces exerted by said oppositely directed first and second antenna legs without imparting damage to said connector.

- 6. A connector according to claim 3, including a plurality of terminal bores extending transversely of said body from top to bottom thereof and parallel to said first transverse bore.

7. A connector according to claim 6, wherein a first and second of said terminal bores are disposed intermediate said first bore and said first end, and a third and fourth of said terminal bores are disposed intermediate said first bore and said second end.

8. A connector according to claim 6, wherein one of said terminal bores is adapted to receive a leg of an open Wire feed therethrough for connection to said first antenna leg, and another of said terminal bores is adapted to receive the other leg of said open wire feed therethrough for connection to said second antenna leg.

9. A connector according to claim 6, including a pair of longitudinal gripping strips, One of said strips being disposed centrally of each of said side portions.

16. A connector according to claim 9, wherein the upper and lower parts of said side portions are recessed to form said strips.

11. A connector according to claim 6, wherein a first means extends through one of said terminal bores, a first loading coil is fitted over said first end, said first means clamping the inner end of said first coil to said first cable conductor, the outer end of said first coil being connected to said first antenna leg; a second means extends through another of said terminal bores, a second loading coil is fitted over said second end, said second means clamping the inner end of said second coil to said second ca-ble conductor, the outer end of said second coil being connected to said second antenna leg.

12. A connector according to claim 7, wherein a first, second, third and fourth means extends through said first, second, third and fourth terminal bores, respectively,

each said means having a head and a shank portion thereof, one conductor of a first balun coil is clamped under the head of said first means, the shank of said first means is connected to said second antenna leg, the other conduct-or of said first balun coil is clamped under the head of said fourth means, the shank of said fourth means is connected to said first antenna leg, one conductorcf a second balun coil is clamped under the head of said second means, the shank of said second means is connected to said first cable conductor, the other conductor of said second balun coil is clamped under the head of said third means and the shank of said third means is connected to said second cable conductor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,663,421 3/1928 Stubbings 174208 XR 2,067,615 1/1937 Metcalf et al. 343749 XR 2,129,514 9/1938 Wertheimer 343--749 XR 2,668,239 2/1954 Jipp 343793 XR HERMAN KARL SAALBACH, Primary Examiner.

ELI LIEBERMAN, Examiner.

M. NUSSBAUM, Assistant Examiner. 

